We’ve experienced a number of heatwaves so far this summer, while the Met Office has warned that we can expect such extreme weather to become ‘the new normal’.
So we’re likely to have to adapt the way we live, including, for example, the way we design buildings. Equally, if you’re an employer, you may want to think about how you can maximise productivity in high temperatures.
One option could be to allow teams to work outside during the warmer months, if only, for example, on Friday afternoons. Al fresco meetings with visiting clients could be another possibility to consider.
And there are plenty of rewards you could reap, from improved worker wellbeing to increased productivity and creativity and even reduced absenteeism. Equally, even if they’re not used for working, outdoor spaces encourage social interaction between colleagues, and give staff somewhere they can relax and recharge during breaks.
But for outdoor working to be effective, you’ll need to have a couple of things in place:
The right furniture
Durable, weather-resistant materials and the right designs enhance comfort, ultimately maximising productivity, while also creating a workspace that’s both pleasing to look at and functional.
Teak chairs offer myriad advantages, including incredible strength and density, so that it’s highly resistant to wear and tear. That’s because teak has a naturally high oil content to protect it from moisture, rot, insects, warping and cracking. This tropical hardwood can last potentially for decades with minimal upkeep. So, for businesses, it genuinely works as a long-term investment since it needs replacing so rarely.
Equally, its exceptional weather resistance means teak furniture can withstand heavy rain, high winds and strong sunlight without suffering extensive damage. So chairs and tables made in this material are ideal for year-round outdoor use – items don’t even need to be stored away during the colder times of year.
What’s more, the classic, elegant appeal of this wood means it enhances any outdoor setting, whether the space has a traditional or modern look. Its golden-brown colour develops a silver-grey patina over time – which looks just as elegant as the original shade.
And because teak is a renewable resource when sourced from responsibly managed plantations, choosing furnishings in this material can align with your business’s sustainability goals and contribute to your commitment to the environment.
Finally, because teak has the ability to regulate its own temperature (unlike, say, metal furniture), it remains consistently comfortable to sit on for extended periods of time.
The right web services
If you’re encouraging a shift outdoors, you may not be able to set up the same workstations people have inside. But you need to guarantee business efficiency by ensuring everyone has what they need to do as well at their jobs as they do indoors. You’ll need at least basic functionality – and having the right web services so that outdoor spaces can be seamlessly effective for staff members is a key part of that.
With the right adjustments, and a little thought, you can create outdoor workspaces where you can expect high levels of productivity and effort as temperatures rise.
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